ELLIS Jenkins says he won't be afraid to offend co-captain Cory Hill on tour this summer but insists it will be a joint effort whoever gets the honour to lead out Wales in Washington on Saturday (kick-off 10pm).

The Cardiff Blues flanker and the Dragons lock will learn at 4pm tomorrow who will be skipper against South Africa to become the 135th man to lead their country.

Warren Gatland has rested Alun Wyn Jones and previous captains Sam Warburton, Taulupe Faletau and Dan Lydiate are also not touring.

Rather than going with experience in the shape of Scott Williams or Bradley Davies, the head coach opted for a co-captaincy approach for the tour, which features two Tests in Argentina after the Springboks clash, to take the pressure off Hill and Jenkins.

And the Cardiff Blues flanker has relished the partnership with his former Wales Under-20s skipper.

"Myself and Cory get on really well. We have the same sort of approach to the captaincy I think," said 25-year-old Jenkins.

"We've known each other for years and we're not afraid to offend each other. If we disagree on anything then we can talk it out.

"But I'm sure that disagreements will be few and far between. We'll just get on with it and try to lead by example.

"It'd be a big honour. The main thing for me is, you get put in positions for things like captaincy based on what you've done, so it's not about trying to change anything.

"It's about earning the respect of the squad, leading by example and making good decisions when you get the opportunity.

"Cory just goes about his business, gets on with it and sets and example for other players to follow."

The back rower has headed on tour in fine form after being a leading figure when Cardiff Blues won the European Challenge Cup.

However, the flanker knows he must grasp his chance in red given the riches at Gatland's disposal.

Even without Warburton, Lydiate, Faletau, Justin Tipuric, Aaron Shingler and Josh Navidi, the Wales management have Jenkins, Ross Moriarty, James Davies, Josh Turnbull and uncapped Dragon Aaron Wainwright to pick from.

"I feel like you're always trying to prove yourself," Jenkins said. "Being in the environment is nice and then once you've been in here a little bit, you want it to be a regular thing.

"And then when it is a regular thing, you want to be one of the standout players. I don't think you're ever satisfied with where you are, I think you're always trying to improve your standing as a player within the squad.

"You look at how many of us open-sides were injured during the autumn and missed out on selection.

"But then Josh (Navidi) gets the chance and he's the standout player. That's what it's all about - taking your opportunities when they come.

"I've played with him for years, he's been brilliant for the Blues, he's a good friend of mine and to see him play the way that he did was nice.

"I would have preferred it to be me but it was nice to watch him play and it amplifies the fact that all it takes is one, two or three games to push yourself up the pecking order.

"Strength in depth is always a good thing. People will argue that wrong selections have been made or whatever but it's definitely a good thing for Welsh rugby."

And a strong showing against the Springboks and Pumas would do Jenkins' World Cup hopes the power of good as the squad scrap for position ahead of Japan 2019.

"Gats spoke about there being some players that are in a good position for the World Cup, based on their form over the last three years and their qualities as players.

"But, as we saw at the last World Cup, things can change up until the last minute. You had boys going down in the warm-up games and even the first game of the World Cup.

"It's about trying to get your name in the picture and working your way up the pecking order as much as you can I suppose."